SWIMMING in the Serpentine could replace the Glastonbury mudslide when the festival is replaced next year by an event in Hyde Park.
Bylaws for the Royal Park forbid camping, and the music will end by 10.30pm to allow the pop fans to travel home and permit Belgravia’s well-heeled residents to sleep.Michael Eavis, the Glastonbury farm owner, is taking next year off to allow his fields (and neighbours) to recover. His event raises money for charity, but the London concerts will be staged for profit by Clear Channel Entertainment. The US company held the first Wireless Festival in Hyde Park last weekend to test the market, and returns for a further two nights this week.
A bigger event is planned next year. Stuart Galbraith, of Clear Channel, said: “We are looking at a capacity of up to 50,000 fans each day.”